Snowville, UT : 26-year-old man in critical condition after crashing into elk on I-84 Tuesday morning, April 12, 2016

A 26-year-old Michigan man is in critical condition after he crashed into an elk Tuesday morning on Interstate 84.

The elk was crossing I-84 near mile post 11 at around 6:05 a.m. when it was hit by a FedEx semi driving east, according to Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Lee Perry. It came to rest in the eastbound inside lane. The crash caused minor damage to the semi and the driver continued to exit 20 to report the accident, Perry said.

Shortly after the first crash, another eastbound vehicle — a pickup — attempted to avoid the elk by swerving to the left, but struck it. The truck went into the median, spun, rolled several times and came to rest near the inside lane, Perry said.

The driver of the pickup, who was wearing a seatbelt, suffered severe injuries to his head, torso and arms, including a compound fracture to his left arm, a broken leg and possible other internal injuries, Perry said. He was taken to Tremonton hospital then flown to McKay-Dee Hospital for treatment.

“He very well could have been ejected if he hadn’t been wearing his seatbelt,” Perry told the Standard-Examiner. “It looks like he’s going to survive but he is in critical condition.”

Perry said the man, a military reservist, was identified by a Michigan drivers license. UHP officials were able to find his family, who is flying out to be with him, through military contacts.

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26-year-old man in critical condition after crashing into elk on I-84